Disposable assembly for a reusable urn or vessel

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a container assembly for use with a reusable urn or vessel. The assembly includes a (1) flexible pouch, (2) a fitment connected to the pouch and having a flexible flange and a first fluid passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber, (3) a tubing adapter having a first end connected to the fitment and a second end having a member for connecting to a tubing and a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway; and (4) wherein the flexible flange is capable of bending to conform to an interior wall of the urn or vessel to place the second fluid passageway in alignment with an axis of a through hole in the urn or vessel.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/645,315filed on Oct. 4, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No.12/369,637 filed on Feb. 11, 2009 both of which are incorporated hereinby reference and made a part hereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention provides a disposable assembly for use with areusable urn or vessel for dispensing fluids and more particularly adisposable assembly having a pouch, a fitment on the pouch, a tubingadapter and a tubing that are assembled and inserted into a fluidchamber of a reusable urn for dispensing beverages for humanconsumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Self-service dispensing containers have become very popular inrestaurant settings for storing and dispensing liquid beverages. Suchcontainers typically include a reusable urn with a dispensing valve atthe bottom for gravitational dispensing of product therein. In someinstances the urn is fitted with a disposable assembly having a pouch, afitment attached to the pouch, and a tubing attached to the fitment. Thepouch is placed inside the urn and the tubing is passed through thevalve and liquid is placed within the pouch so that it does not contactany portion of the reusable urn or valve. Thus, the container and valveremain clean for longer periods of time and can be more easily andquickly cleaned during normal cleaning procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will not be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a prior art beveragedispensing system;

FIG. 2 is a central cross-sectional front view of the dispensing systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of a pouch;

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the pouch of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a prior art disposable assembly foruse with a reusable urn or vessel;

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the disposable assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another prior art beverage dispensingsystem;

FIG. 6A is a side elevation view of another prior art disposableassembly for use with a reusable container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of the disposable assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of a prior art beveragedispensing system with a prior art disposable assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional front view of a beverage dispensing systemof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fitment and tube adapter assembly;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the tube adapter of FIG.9;

FIGS. 11 a,b are cross-sectional views of a faucet of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11 bof the faucet without the tubing showing a generally oval shaped-crosssectional shape;

FIG. 13 is an end view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 11 b of thefaucet outlet without the tubing showing a non-symmetrical outlet;

FIG. 14 is an assembly of the faucet of FIG. 11 b with a fitment, tubingadapter and tubing; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a tubing of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now in detail to the Figures, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown a prior art containing and dispensing system 10 for areusable containing vessel 12 that can be used with a disposableassembly having a pouch 14, a spout 16, a dispensing tube 18, and adispensing valve 20. The containing vessel 12 is generally a stainlesssteel or aluminum urn having an interior cavity 22, a first opening 24,and a second opening 26. Two handles 28 extend from the sides of thecontaining vessel 12 for lifting and transporting the vessel.Additionally, a cover 30 or top is also provided for covering the firstopening 24 leading to the interior cavity 22 of the vessel. The top 30has a flat portion 32 and a rim portion 34 extending substantiallyperpendicular to the flat portion. The inside diameter of the rim 34 isdimensioned such that the top 30 fits over the cylindrical vessel 12 andis adjacent the outside diameter of the vessel 12. Typically, the vessel12 will be placed on a platform or stand, or have an integral stand 113to elevate the dispensing tube to a level where a cup or other containercan be positioned under the dispensing tube.

The disposable assembly forms a liner for the containing vessel 12 anddispensing valve 20 such that liquid does not contact the internalcomponents of either the containing vessel 12 or dispensing valve 20.FIGS. 3A and 3B show a prior art pouch 14 having a first or frontalpanel 36 having a top 38, a bottom 40, and opposing first and secondsides 42,44, and a second or rearward panel 46 similarly having a top38, a bottom 40, and opposing first and second sides 42,44. The firstpanel 36 has an aperture or second opening 48 extending through thepanel 36 proximal the bottom 40 of the first panel. The aperture 48 isdimensioned to receive the spout 16. Further illustrated in FIGS. 3A and3B, the spout 16 has a cylindrical portion 50 extending generallyperpendicularly from a generally circular flange portion 52 at the otherend. The cylindrical portion 50 has a longitudinally extending fluidpassageway therethrough having an inner diameter, and a longitudinalaxis which extends through the center of the spout 16, from thecylindrical portion 50 through to the flanged portion 52. Thecylindrical portion 50 also has ribs 54 extending from an outer surfaceof the spout. The ribs 54 allow other components to be connected to thespout 16.

The aperture 48 is formed with a punch that removes a portion of thewall to define the aperture 48. The aperture 48 is dimensioned to allowthe passage of the cylindrical portion 50 but not the flange. The spout16 is connected to the first panel 36 by heat sealing or other suitablemethod consistent with the use of the container. As is best shown inFIG. 3A, the flange 52 of the spout 16 has a first side which contactsthe inner side of the first panel 36 of material. Through heat andpressure, the first panel 36 is heat sealed or welded to the flange 52to permanently affix the spout 16 in place. The spout 16 is preferablylocated toward the bottom 40 of the pouch opposite the opening 62, suchthat when a manufactured pouch 14 is placed within the containing vessel12, the liquid in the interior pocket 64 of the pouch will naturallyfeed out via gravitational forces.

The first and second panels 36,46 of the prior art pouch are generallymade of a flexible plastic material which is capable of being heatsealed together. The material utilized should have a melt softeningtemperature greater than 175° F. and can be a linear low densitypolyethylene, polyolefins, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester,nylon, and the like, including co-extruded and laminated materials,which exhibit similar characteristics may be used.

During manufacture of the pouch 14, the first and second panels 36,46are heat sealed together adjacent their respective bottoms 40 andopposed first and second sides 42,44 to form a pouch 14 having threeseal areas 56,58,60 and a first opening 62 to an interior pocket 64between the connected first and second panels 36,46. When sealedtogether, the bottoms 40 of the panels form a sealed second end 66 ofthe pouch, and the opposed sides 42,44 of the panels form opposed sealedfirst and second sides 68,70 of the pouch 14, respectively. The tops ofthe panels form an open first end 72 of the pouch. Both of the opposingside seals 56,58 extend from the first end 72 of the pouch to the secondend 66 of the pouch, and the bottom seal 60 extends about a length ofthe second end 66 of the pouch. A first end 74 of the bottom seal 60 isadjacent the first of the opposing side seals 56 and a second end 76 ofthe bottom seal 60 is adjacent a second of the opposing side seals 58.As such, the first opening 62 of the pouch extends horizontally fromsubstantially the first seal area 56 to substantially the second sealarea 58 adjacent the top or first end 72 of the pouch, and provides anentrance to the interior pocket 64. As seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, theinterior pocket 64 of the pouch is bounded on three sides by the threeseal areas 56, 58, 60, and extends from the first opening 62 of thepouch adjacent the first end 72 of the pouch, to the third seal area 60adjacent the second end or bottom 66 of the pouch. Because the pouch 14is made of a material having a melt softening temperature of greaterthan 175° F., the interior pocket 64 of the pouch is able to containboiling water for brewing tea, coffee or other hot liquids. A secondopening 48 to the pouch exists through the spout opening, which isproximal the second end 66 of the pouch.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end 72 of the pouch is wrappedover the first opening 24 of the containing vessel such that a portionof the pouch 14 extends on the outside of the containing vessel 12. Anoptional elastic band 78 is then placed over a portion of the first end72 of the pouch 14 that extends to the outside of the containing vessel12 to secure the pouch 14 thereto. The first end 72 of the pouch,however, can remain removably connected adjacent the first opening 24 ofthe containing vessel by other means. When the pouch 14 is in thisposition, liquid can be inserted into the interior pocket 64 of thepouch through the first opening 24 of the vessel.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show another prior art system where the dispenser 18 isconnected to the spout 16. The dispenser 18 has a tube 80 having a rigidfitment 82 at one end thereof. The tube 80 is made of a flexible orelastic tubing or piping and is fixedly attached to the fitment 82. Theprior art tubing 80 is fabricated from astyrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer and typically has, inone form of the invention, an 11 mm. outside diameter, and approximatelya 7 mm. inside diameter. Of course, it is contemplated using tubings ofvarious inner and outer diameters so long as they can function asdescribed herein. In one preferred form of the invention the outerdiameter will be within the range of 10-13 mm and the inner diameterwill be within the range of 7-10 mm. The fitment 82 is dimensioned tofixedly attach to the cylindrical portion 50 of the spout 16 of thepouch 14 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The fitment snaps 82 onto the ribs 54of the spout, however, other connection means, including press fit andscrew on connectors are also contemplated. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, the tube 80 is dimensioned to be inserted through an aperture orchannel 86 in the dispensing valve 20.

The prior art dispensing valve 20 is connected to the containing vessel12 at the second opening 26 of the containing vessel as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. A channel 86 extends through the body of the dispensingvalve 20 to a nozzle 88 at the end of the dispensing valve 20. Thechannel 86 provides that the nozzle 88 is in open communication with thesecond opening 26, and thus the interior cavity 22, of the containingvessel 12. The dispensing valve 20 has an adjustable valve 90 whichcontrols the flow of liquid through the channel 86. The adjustable valve90 is controlled by a handle 92 at the top of the dispensing valve 20.The valve 90 is a protruding crimper which controls the rate of egressof liquid through the dispensing tube 18 by closing a portion of thedispensing tube 18 such that liquid cannot pass through. The dispensingtube 18 extends through the channel 86 of the dispensing valve 20. Byrotating the handle 92 the valve 90 increases or decreases the amount ofliquid that is able to flow through the dispensing tube 18 thuscontrolling the rate of egress of liquid from within the interior pocketof the pouch. When fully engaged, the valve 90 stops all flow of liquidthrough the dispensing tube 18. Generally, the end of the dispensingvalve 20 opposite the nozzle 88 has a threaded portion 94 extending froma shoulder 96 of the dispensing valve 20. This threaded portion 94extends through the second opening 26 of the containing vessel 12 andpartially into the interior cavity 22 such that the shoulder 96 of thedispensing valve contacts the outside wall of the containing vessel 12adjacent the second opening 26. A nut (not shown) within the interiorcavity 22 of the containing vessel is then screwed on the threadedportion 94 of the dispensing valve 20 to fix the dispensing valve inplace.

Accordingly, one of the initial steps required to set up the system evenbefore the pouch 14 is placed within the interior cavity 22 of thecontaining vessel 12 is to attach the dispensing tube 18 via the fitment82 thereof to the spout 16. Next, if the dispensing valve 20 is notalready attached to the containing vessel 12, the dispensing valve 20must be connected at the second opening 26 of the containing vessel suchthat the second opening 26 and the channel 86 through the dispensingvalve are in open communication. Once the dispensing valve 20 is inplace, the pouch 14 is inserted into the interior cavity 22 of thecontaining vessel 12.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another prior art dispenser 100 which isconnected to the spout 16. (Like components of this prior art dispenserwill be described with the same reference numerals as the first priorart dispenser.) The dispenser 100 comprises a dispensing valve having afitment 104 thereon. The fitment 104 is dimensioned to fixedly attachthe dispenser 100 to the cylindrical portion 50 of the spout 16 of thepouch 14 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Like the previous dispenser, thefitment 104 snaps onto the ribs 54 of the spout. The dispensing valveportion of the dispenser 100 has a rotatable member 106 which, whenmanipulated, controls the rate of egress of liquid through the dispenser100. Thus, unlike the first prior art dispenser, the dispenser 100 andthe dispensing are a single component. Accordingly, when using thisdispenser 100 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a separate dispensing valve20 is not required. With this embodiment, liquid contacts only theinterior pocket 64 of the pouch, an interior of the spout 16, and aninterior of the dispensing valve 100. Since the pouch 14, spout 16, anddispensing valve 100 are disposable, they are adapted to be removed fromthe containing vessel 108 after use and discarded. Only the containingvessel 108 with its cover (not shown) is a permanent fixture. As such,the system is adapted to allow for the installation of a new pouch,spout, and dispensing valve daily to maintain a completely sanitizedsystem. Any bacteria from the liquid only contacts the interior of thedisposable items and does not contaminate the permanent fixtures.

These prior art dispensing systems are more fully set forth in thecommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,467 which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and made a part hereof. Due to problemsencountered in using the disposable insert assemblies described abovewith urns and vessels having exit ports in close proximity to a bottomwall of the urn, a new approach was needed for the disposable assembly.

More specifically, FIG. 7 shows in certain existing urns or vessels thatare adapted for use with a Tomlinson faucet which is well known in theart. A port of the vessel for mounting the Tomlinson valve is located inclose proximity to a bottom wall 200 of the vessel. In attempting to usethe prior art disposable assembly (pouch 14, spout 16, dispensing tube18 and dispensing valve 20 described above with reference to FIGS.1-4B), results in a kinked dispensing tube 18 due to an interferencebetween the rigid flange of the spout 16 and the side and bottom wallsof the vessel, and contact of the dispensing tube with the bottom wall200 of the vessel. The present invention provides a disposable assemblyinsert compatible with such vessels and which allows for a favorableflow rate through the dispensing tube and a desired angle of dispensing.

To this end, FIGS. 8-10 shows yet another preferred embodiment of adispensing assembly and system having a disposable assembly fitted to areusable urn or vessel to allow for using the urn without contaminatingan interior portion of the reusable vessel. In one preferred form of theinvention, a disposable dispensing assembly 201 includes a flexiblepouch 202, a fitment 204 and a tubing adapter 206. The fitment 204 andtubing adapter 206 when assembled are considerably smaller than theprior art disposable assembly shown in FIGS. 1-7, and, therefore, willbe referred to below in the Comparative Example as Mini. The pouch 202has a sidewall 208 with an outer planar surface 210. A hole 212 isprovided through the sidewall 208.

The fitment 204 has a generally circular flange 214 having a planarsurface 216 and a generally centrally disposed annular wall 215extending axially away from the planar surface 216 defining a fluidpassage 218 of the annular wall and circumjacent a through a hole (notshown) of the fitment 204. The circular flange of the fitment isattached to the outer planar surface 210 of the pouch with the throughhole 212 of the pouch and the through hole of the fitment being inregistration to allow for fluid communication between the contents ofthe pouch and an exterior of the pouch.

The tubing adapter 206 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a first generallycylindrical wall 230 having a first diameter, a second generallycylindrical wall 232 having a second diameter greater than the firstdiameter and an annular flange 234 therebetween. The second cylindricalwall 232 has a semi-arrow shaped outer surface 240 having a base 242, atip 244 and a radially inwardly sloping surface 246 extending from thebase 242 to the tip 244. An annular notch 248 separates the base 242from a bottom surface 250 of the annular flange 234. The firstcylindrical wall 230 extends axially away from the annular flange 234and has a radially inwardly tapering distal end 252 for ease ofinsertion into a lumen 266 of tubing 260. The annular flange has anupper surface 253 that serves as a stop and a visual indication thetubing adapter is fully inserted into the lumen 266.

The second cylindrical wall 232 is inserted into the annular wall 215 ofthe fitment 204 and the notch 248 engages a structure (not shown) on aninner surface of the annular wall 215 to fixedly attach the tubingadapter 206 to the fitment 204.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fitment 204 is sufficiently flexible to adapt tothe dimensions of the space between the bottom wall 200 and sidewall 216of the vessel so that the tubing 260 does not kink upon insertion intothe passageway 86 of the faucet or during use.

In a preferred form of the invention, the angle of dispensing should befrom about 45° to about 100°, more preferably from 55° to about 90° andmost preferably from 65° to about 90°. To this end, FIGS. 11 a,b shows afaucet 300 having a fitment 302 at one end, a rigid dispensing tube 304extending axially away therefrom and defining a fluid passageway orlumen 306 therethrough, and a valve 308 to control the flow of fluidthrough the faucet to an outlet 309. FIG. 11 a shows one preferred formof the faucet where the dispensing tube 304 is segmented having a firstportion 310 extending along an axis 311 and a second distal portion 312extending along a second axis 313 forming an angle α with the axis 311.The angle α should be from about 45° to about 100°, more preferably fromabout 55° to about 90° and most preferably from 65° to about 90°.

FIG. 11 b shows another preferred form of the faucet 300 where thedispensing tube 304 tube is arcuate or curved over the entire length ofthe dispensing tube 304 having a radius R and the axis 313 forms anangle α with the axis 311 within the ranges set forth above. The faucethas a valve housing 330 having a generally cylindrical wall 331 havingan axis 332 and defining a chamber 334 therein. The axis 332 forms anangle β with axis 311. In a preferred form of the invention, angle β canbe from about 0° (i.e., axis 332 parallel to axis 311) to about 90°(axis 332 perpendicular to axis 311) and more preferably from about 75°to about 35° and most preferably from about 60° to about 45°. Thecylindrical wall 331 has a set of threads 333 at a distal most end. Thefaucet 300 can be used with the Mini disposable assembly shown in FIGS.8-14, or with the larger disposable assembly shown in FIGS. 1-7, andwill be referred to as Large in the Comparative Example below.

In another preferred form of the invention shown in FIG. 12, thedispensing tube 304 can have a circular cross-sectional shape or agenerally oval shape having rounded ends and flattened sidewalls 342. Itis believed, this oval shape resist kinking of tubing 260 upon insertioninto the lumen 306 of the dispensing tube 304.

In another preferred from of the invention shown in FIG. 13, the fluidoutlet 309 has a non-symmetrical outlet where the fluid outlet 309 isnot centered, or offset. Thus, a wall portion 350 on top of the outlethas a greater thickness than a bottom portion 352. For example, for aoutlet having a diameter of 0.650 inches a top portion can have athickness of about 0.140 inches and the bottom portion can have athickness of about 0.90 inches or about 65% of the thickness of the topportion. In another preferred form of the invention, a first portion ofthe wall will have a thickness with respect to a second portion of thewall of the outlet within a range of ratios from about 1:3 to about1:1.1. In other words, one portion of the wall can be from about threetimes as thick to about 1.1 times as thick as a second portion of thewall. This offset assist in directing the tubing 260 radially inwardlytoward the faucet to achieve a near 90° angle of dispensing. The offsetopening can be generally circular or generally oval shaped as describedabove.

FIG. 14 shows the faucet of FIG. 11 b in an assembly with the fitment204, tubing adapter 206 and the tubing 260. A valve assembly 360 isshown mounted to the valve housing 340 and having a threaded cap 362, alever arm 364, a valve element 366 and a compression spring 368. Thethreaded cap 362 has a set of threads 370 that mates with threads 333 ofthe cylindrical wall. The valve is shown in an open position where thevalve element 366 does not constrict the flow of fluid through theflexible tubing 260. Upon rotation of the valve arm 364 the valveelement 360 is moved axially downwardly to impinge upon the tubing toclose off the flow of fluid through the tubing. The spring 368 istrapped between an inner surface of the threaded cap 362 and impingesupon an annular flange 372 of the valve element 366 to bias the valveinto a closed, non-fluid dispensing position.

It has been observed by users of tube 18 of a monolayer of SEBS, that ittends to kink upon insertion into the channel 86 of the dispensing valve20. In a preferred form of the invention, the tubing resists kinkingduring insertion into the dispensing valve 20 and has an increased innerdiameter of greater than 7 mm while maintaining an 11 mm outer diameter.The increased inner diameter allows for higher flow rates through thetubing when compared with tubings of lesser diameter and allows fordispensing of fluids with a broader range of viscosities when comparedto smaller inner diameter tubings.

FIG. 15 shows the improved, multilayer tube 270 having an outer layer272, an inner layer 274 defining a central lumen 266. The lumen isdimensioned to receive the first cylindrical wall 230 of the tubingadapter and form an interference fit therewith. In a preferred form ofthe invention the inner layer is a hydrogentated or non-hydrogenatedstyrene and hydrocarbon copolymer, more preferably a styrene and dienecopolymer, and even more preferably a styrene and diene block copolymer.The block copolymer can be a diblock, triblock, starblock or the like,and most preferably is a triblock styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrenecopolymer. One suitable material is KRATON type polymer.

The outer layer 272 is preferably an olefin material and more preferablyan ethylene terpolymer and even more preferably an ethylene andalpha-olefin copolymer. As used herein, the term “interpolymer” includescopolymers, terpolymers either random, stereoregular (such as isotactic,syndiotactic) or block.

Suitable ethylene and α-olefin interpolymers preferably have a density,as measured by ASTM D-792 of less than about 0.915 g/cc and are commonlyreferred to as very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), linear-low densitypolyethylene (LLDPE) ultra low density ethylene (ULDPE) and the like.The α-olefin should have from 3-17 carbons, more preferably from 4-12and most preferably 4-8 carbons. In a preferred form of the invention,the ethylene and α-olefin copolymers are obtained using single sitecatalysts. Suitable single site catalyst systems, among others, arethose disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,783,638 and 5,272,236. Suitableethylene and α-olefin copolymers include those sold by Dow ChemicalCompany under the AFFINITY tradename, Dupont-Dow under the ENGAGEtradename and Exxon under the EXACT and PLASTOMER tradenames.

In a preferred form of the invention, the ratio of thicknesses of theouter layer 272 to the inner layer 274 is from about 1:4 to about 1:2and more preferably from about 1:3 to about 1:2.5.

It is contemplated that the tubing can have a portion that is compressedinto an accordion shape that is capable of flexing into discretepositions much like flex straw. This will provide of ease of insertionof the tubing into the faucet.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES

Four different faucets shown in FIGS. 11 b-14, were assembled with aLarge disposable assembly shown in FIGS. 1-7 or with a Mini disposableassembly shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 14 for a total of eight faucetassemblies. Faucet 1 had a radius R of 1.495 inches, a faucet dischargehaving a circular shape in cross section and an offset, asymmetricaldischarge FIG. 13. Faucet 2 was the same as Faucet 1 but had asymmetrical discharge. Faucet 3 had a radius R 1.625 inches, a faucetdischarge with an oval cross-sectional shape (FIG. 12) and an offset,asymmetrical discharge (FIG. 13). Faucet 4 is the same as faucet 3except it has a symmetrical discharge.

The flow rate results of these eight tested assemblies comparedfavorably with the prior art device shown in FIG. 2, where thedispensing angle is 45° and has the Large disposable assembly. The testresults shown below indicate that the faucet design shown in FIGS. 11b-14 substantially improves flow rate of a prior art container with aprior art disposable assembly.

The results shown in the Table below also compare favorably with a priorart urn having a Tomlinson valve with a 90° dispensing angle and with nodisposable assembly wherein the contained fluid comes into directcontact with the walls of the urn and an interior fluid conduit of theTomlinson valve. This prior art container was found to have a flow rateof 5.2 oz/sec.

Each faucet assembly was mounted to a water containing urn and the timewas recorded to dispense 16 oz of water. Each faucet was tested over 20intervals, the time was averaged and the flow rate per ounce wascalculated. The results are shown below in the following table. Overall,the Mini disposable of the present invention outperformed the Large,prior art, disposable assembly. Faucets 3 and 4 with a R of 1.625 inchesoutperformed the smaller radius of 1.495 inches. This is a surprisingresult as the Mini disposable is far smaller and weighs considerablyless than the prior art disposable assembly shown in FIGS. 1-4. The Minitubing adapter weighs about 1 g which is far lighter than the 3.4 gtubing adapter of the prior art. Also, the fitment of the Mini adapterweighs about 1.1 g which compares favorably to the 5.3 g fitment of theprior art disposable.

FAUCET 1 FAUCET 2 FAUCET 3 FAUCET 4 Large Mini Large Mini Large MiniLarge Mini 7.19 5.44 6.53 5.33 5.78 5.09 6.16 5.44 6.83 5.22 6.66 5.226.13 5.33 6.19 5.22 6.33 5.46 6.50 5.32 6.12 5.05 6.21 5.28 6.72 5.317.25 5.56 6.06 5.28 6.40 5.34 6.65 5.38 7.56 5.37 6.09 5.22 6.32 5.406.90 5.41 6.88 5.25 6.18 5.37 6.31 5.35 6.81 5.41 6.66 5.28 6.15 5.336.28 5.34 6.69 5.42 7.19 5.35 6.15 5.15 6.32 5.22 6.88 8.31 7.10 5.286.19 5.21 6.20 5.19 6.75 5.44 7.23 5.30 6.07 5.27 6.19 5.15 6.81 5.357.41 5.22 5.98 5.18 6.37 5.14 6.83 5.38 7.14 5.19 6.03 5.14 6.35 5.036.72 5.29 6.28 5.28 6.14 5.18 6.21 5.25 6.77 5.31 6.53 5.26 6.32 5.246.25 5.13 6.84 5.33 7.25 5.31 6.29 5.22 6.22 5.27 6.72 5.35 7.36 5.306.18 5.19 6.22 5.22 6.85 5.31 7.32 5.41 6.13 5.22 6.32 5.18 6.74 5.367.39 5.35 6.09 5.31 6.13 5.18 6.79 5.34 7.46 5.34 6.14 5.28 6.37 5.236.69 5.42 7.25 5.35 6.16 5.19 6.29 5.22 AVERAGE FOR 16 OZ DISPENSINGRATE IN OZ/SEC 6.78 5.36 7.05 5.31 6.12 5.22 6.27 5.24 2.35 2.98 2.263.01 2.61 3.06 2.55 3.05

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising: a rigidcontainer including a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from thebottom surface; a flexible container at least partially within the rigidcontainer; a fitment including a flexible flange portion attached to theflexible container and a rigid cylindrical portion concentric with theflexible flange portion about a central axis of the fitment; a tubingadapter attached directly to the rigid cylindrical portion of thefitment; a faucet including a faucet fitment coupled to an outer surfaceof the sidewall; an aperture extending through the sidewall of the rigidcontainer at a distance D between the bottom surface and a center of theaperture, in which the distance D is less than a distance between acentral axis of the faucet fitment and an outer diameter of the faucetfitment; wherein the faucet comprises: a dispensing tube extending fromthe fitment away from the rigid container; a first cross section of thedispensing tube proximate the faucet fitment and defining a firstportion of a lumen, wherein the lumen is shaped and dimensioned forextending a tubing through its entire length without kinking the tubing;a distal end of the dispensing tube distal from the faucet fitmentdefining a second cross section of the dispensing tube, the distal endof the dispensing tube including asymmetric sidewall thickness anddefining a second portion of the lumen offset a central axis of thedispensing tube; wherein the dispensing tube has an arcuate shape alongits entire length from the proximal end to the distal end; and whereinthe second cross section defines an outer wall portion of the dispensingtube having a thickness greater than an inner wall portion of thedispensing tube.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portionof the lumen comprises a generally oval shape.
 3. A fluid dispensingapparatus comprising: a rigid container including a bottom surface and asidewall extending from the bottom surface, the sidewall including anaperture extending therethrough; a flexible container at least partiallywithin the rigid container; a fitment including a flexible flangeportion attached to the flexible container and a rigid cylindricalportion concentric with the flexible flange portion about a central axisof the fitment; a tubing adapter attached directly to the rigidcylindrical portion of the fitment and aligned with the aperture; afaucet including a faucet fitment coupled to an outer surface of thesidewall and aligned with the tubing adapter, the faucet including adispensing tube portion extending from the faucet fitment in which thedispensing tube portion is curved along its entire length (to facilitateinsertion of a tubing through its entire length without kinking thetubing); wherein the faucet comprises: a dispensing tube extending fromthe fitment away from the rigid container; a first cross section of thedispensing tube proximate the faucet fitment and defining a firstportion of a lumen, wherein the lumen is shaped and dimensioned forextending a tubing through its entire length without kinking the tubing;a distal end of the dispensing tube distal from the faucet fitmentdefining a second cross section of the dispensing tube, the distal endof the dispensing tube including asymmetric sidewall thickness anddefining a second portion of the lumen offset a central axis of thedispensing tube; wherein the dispensing tube has an arcuate shape alongits entire length from the proximal end to the distal end; and whereinthe second cross section defines an outer wall portion of the dispensingtube having a thickness greater than an inner wall portion of thedispensing tube.